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                    Commercial noise

                    Noise restrictions may apply to your business whether you are working from commercial or residential premises. As a business owner you are responsible for ensuring that your noise levels are within appropriate limits.

                    Industrial premises

                    Industrial noise includes noise from machinery, air conditioning and commercial premises in general. Noise levels can be assessed against Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Victoria’s Commercial, Industrial and trade noise guidelines, which aims to protect people from the effects of noise.

                    New and proposed industries should be designed to be within the policy’s noise limits. If you do not limit your noise, residents and visitors are entitled to make a noise complaint.

                    Entertainment venues

                    Noise emanating from and around pubs and clubs can disturb nearby residents. Melbourne has one of Australia’s best night scenes and we want to continue to promote the vibrancy of Melbourne as a 24-hour city. A balance is needed between the expectations of residents to have a good night’s sleep and the ability of the venue to run a successful business.

                    All premises that are licensed to serve alcohol are obliged to respond quickly and positively to resolve complaints with neighbours.

                    Victoria Police have power under the Environment Protection Act 2017 to instruct a venue to abate any entertainment noise after midnight. These directions stay in force until 8 am.

                    Noise levels can be assessed against EPA Victoria’s regulations - see music noise from venues and events​. While not directly enforceable as legislation, noise requirements based on this policy are often included as a condition of a venue's liquor licence or planning permit.

                    See also ​Planning practice note 81: Live music and entertainment noise (Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning).

                    Residential premises

                    Residential noise includes noise from motor vehicles, lawn mowers, electrical tools and equipment, domestic heating/cooling equipment, pumps, musical instruments, radios and televisions.

                    EPA Victoria’s Residential Noise and the Law provides details on minimum standards regarding specific types of residential noise and times they are prohibited.

                    Noise may be considered unreasonable depending on several factors including volume, time of day, and intensity of duration.

                    Building sites

                    Construction activities and building works are a fundamental part of a growing and changing city like Melbourne. However, construction works need to be managed so that noise does not become a nuisance for our visitors, residents and businesses. Our Noise and Vibration Management Guidelines outline your responsibilities under Local Law.

                    Other commercial noise sources

                    Some industrial noise sources such as public transport, gasworks, road works and specific major development sites are not within our jurisdiction. Visit EPA Victoria for more information about how these noise levels are regulated.

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